`V12 Challenge' KIA manager Lee Bum-ho"I will play baseball with one point each"
Oct 20, 2024
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Coach Lee attended the 2024 KBO League Korean Series Media Day held at the Wyndham Bai Chungjang in Ramada Plaza, Gwangju on the 20th and expressed his feelings and determination. Director Lee "He played the pennant race so well. I've been preparing thinking that Samsung will come to the Korean Series. The traditional rival met again for the first time in 31 years. I hope it will be a Korean series where we can play our best against each other.
" "I'm nervous, but I'll do my best to win my 12th championship," he said.
KIA won the regular season with 87 wins, two draws and 55 losses. He ranked first among all 10 clubs with a team batting average of 311 and a team ERA of 4.40. Of the seven players who played at-bats, four hit a batting average of 300, and three hit a batting average in the late-20s, which is the most noticeable. On the mound, James Nail, the league's No. 1 ERA (2.53), and Yang Hyun-jong, the league's most strikeouts, will make a one-two punch, while Jung Hae-young, the king of relief, will take charge of the back door. While he has been selected as a favorite early on before the season, he is aiming for the V12 beyond winning the pennant race.
KIA had an overwhelming advantage with 12 wins and 4 losses against Samsung this season. However, it is difficult to conclude the victory or defeat of the Korean Series, which is a short-term match. In particular, Samsung's bat, which ranks first in home runs in the team, is comparable to KIA's.
By 2023, the first-round winning team has a 70.7% chance of winning a total of 41 Korean Series games, and if they win back-to-back games in the second round, the winning rate will be 90%. This is why attention is bound to be paid to the results of the first and second games at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju from the 21st to the 22nd.
-What's your plan for the Korean Series.
▶I played the pennant race so well. I've been preparing thinking that Samsung will come to the Korean Series. The traditional rival met again for the first time in 31 years. I hope it will be a Korean series where we can play our best against each other.
-The memory of a grand slam in Game 5 of the 2017 Korean Series is vivid. Whether the at-bat was more nervous at the time or the first game was more nervous.
▶I haven't been nervous since I was a rookie. There were many more nerve-racking matches as a coach. I didn't have a lot of thoughts when I moved with my body, but when I stood still and watched the game, I had to trust the player, and the victory or defeat depends on what kind of play the player plays. I'm nervous to welcome this Korean Series as a coach, but I'll play spiritually and win for the 12th time.
-The starting pitcher of the first game and the reason.
▶It's James' nail. I think he was the best pitcher this season. He is also the No. 1 ERA. I thought about Yang Hyun-jong, but I decided because I thought it would be better to send out the nails first.
-My nail condition.
▶It's perfectly fine. I started pitching a month ago. There is no problem at all. Both daily life and training are 100%, so he was appointed as the first starter.
-Whether to decide to enter the Korean Series is,
▶I tried to decide depending on whether the team was coming up or not. I thought about one position as a pitcher and one position as an infielder. I thought one spot of the pitcher was more important. It was decided to go with 14 pitchers and 16 fielders.
-The fourth starting pitcher is
▶I'm considering either Yoon Young-chul or Kim Do-hyun. If Kim Do-hyun is used in Games 1 and 2, I think Yoon Young-chul should be used in Game 4. If the starting pitchers fit perfectly, I will discuss with the coaches what would be good if I didn't use the middle pitcher.
-How did you attack Samsung in the playoffs.
▶When I watched the playoffs, Samsung was very strong in terms of defense. Since it is the minimum error team this season, it will be very difficult to score a large amount of points. When you have to score, I think you should do an operation to get one point. Since he has a defense that does not collapse easily, even if he has a strong offense, it is easier to score points when mistakes are added, but he is unlikely to do so. I will prepare to play a game in which I score one point in each situation.
-In 2006, he met with Park Jin-man, a former Samsung player for Hanwha.
▶ It was his first appearance in the Korean Series. Coach Park won too many championships at Samsung during the dynasty. I was so happy just to play in the Korean Series. As I started the coach later, this Korean series came in first place in the regular season, but if I prepare with the mindset of challenging the coach, I think it will be a great match like the Korean series at that time.
-If there's anyone who wants this player to be crazy.
▶All players are important. If one has to go crazy, I personally hope it's the nail that's the first game starter. Batters have a lot of time to recover because they have a lot of time, but pitchers should do well once they go up. As Won Tae-in comes out, I think it's a very important match. If we win the first game, it will be a very advantageous series.
ppark@sportschosun.com
